Japan's Obama City Cashes in on Its Name

Obama City Fukui Japan

In this port town of over 30,000 people, fishing has long been the main industry. Increasingly, the city is cashing in on the Obama name.

Margaret Conley/ABC

Obama City Fukui Japan

In this port town of over 30,000 people, fishing has long been the main industry. Increasingly, the city is cashing in on the Obama name.

Margaret Conley/ABC

Obama City Fukui Japan

"Yes We Cans" filled with bread are available at the local store for a snack or souvenir.

Margaret Conley/ABC

Obama City Fukui Japan

Business is up 20 percent, shop owner Koichi Inoue tells ABC News. "It makes it fun for me to make the bean cakes," he says of the design, "so we started making these since the campaign."

Margaret Conley/ABC

Obama City Fukui Japan

Cartoon versions of the mayor of Obama City, President Obama, and Japan Prime Minister Hatoyama on a box of chocolate cakes. "The President and I have the same face – the only difference is the hairstyle," says Mayor Kouji Matsuzaki. "People say we have the same ears."

Margaret Conley/ABC

Obama City Fukui Japan

From street banners and taxis, to hula dancers and obscure souvenirs, Obama City in Japan reaches out to a president on the other side of the world.

Margaret Conley/ABC

Obama City Fukui Japan

"It started as a simple hobby," says designer Yasunori Maeno, "and now we turned our hobby into a job." Maeno's Obama designs are displayed throughout the city.

Margaret Conley/ABC

Obama City Fukui Japan

In the city Obama residents cheer for Obama, whose face adorns a lot of merchandise.